Article of apparel

ABSTRACT

A garment design permits a light source to be retained in a desired position in which it emits light across a layer portion of the garment or material carried thereon. The transmission of light can either be by virtue of a sufficient sheerness of garment material or other material carried thereon at least in the region of transmission or a cutout which permits passage of light from one side of the material in contact with the light source to other side facing the outside. The light source is conveniently a chemiluminescent light stick which can be received and retained in a suitably shaped and sized pocket provided interior or exterior of the garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/304,619 filed Jul. 11, 2001 entitled ARTICLE OF APPAREL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an article of apparel, and, more particularly, to an article of novelty apparel, which, by virtue of light emitting characteristics, provides a combination of utilitarian function and visual entertainment for both wearer and observer alike.

[0003] Many types of light emitting elements are available for a variety of applications. For example, one type of light emitter is a chemiluminescent glowing product which produces light by virtue of a chemical reaction initiated by mixing two reactive solutions contained in an enclosed body, frequently shaped in a tube form.

[0004] Other light emitters consist of a light source powered by a power cell which is either self-contained integrally with the housing of the light or remotely located therefrom.

[0005] Although the above mentioned electrical and photo-chemical light units are used in a variety of applications, their incorporation in articles of wearing apparel has heretofore not been fully exploited.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an article of apparel which incorporates at least one light source to provide utilitarian function by permitting greater visibility in darkened environments and entertainment for the wearer and observer.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide the above article of apparel which can be produced simply and economically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, there is provided an article of apparel which is provided with structural adaptation which permits the securement of a light source at a specified location along the garment such that light emitted therefrom is transmitted across a layer of material comprising the article and is at least partially visible from the outside.

[0009] Briefly stated, the article of apparel (also referred to equivalently by the term “garment”) is comprised of fabric or other suitable material currently employed in clothing manufacture or which may be employed at a future date. A light source is receivable to the article of apparel (or, when of the type of source that is replenishable, may be permanently retained thereto) in a position in which light emitted therefrom is at least partially transmitted across a layer of material comprising the garment or carried thereon.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, for example, a pocket is provided internal of the garment, and a light source, advantageously in the form of a chemiluminescent glowing product is received in the pocket after being chemically activated. In such embodiment, the material comprising the garment, at least in the region disposed directly in the path of light emitted from the source to the outside, is sufficiently sheer as to allow at least a portion of visible light produced to exit the garment. Alternatively, a cutout of desired shape may be provided in the region of material otherwise obscuring the travel of light to the outside of the garment. Such cutout is advantageously of a suitable shape and/or size to prevent, or at least inhibit, dislodgment of the light source from the pocket in which it is retained.

[0011] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a shirt incorporating the feature in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2a is a detail schematic cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 2b is a schematic outline of a pocket;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a detail view of the outside of embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 4a is a side view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in long pants;

[0017]FIG. 4b is a front view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in long pants;

[0018]FIG. 4c is a back view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in long pants;

[0019]FIG. 5a is a side view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in short pants;

[0020]FIG. 5b is a front view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in short pants; and

[0021]FIG. 5c is a back view of an embodiment of the invention directed to use in short pants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In its broadest sense, the invention comprises a garment design which permits a light source to be retained in a desired position in which it emits light across a layer portion of the garment. The transmission of light can either be by virtue of a sufficient sheerness of garment material at least in the region of transmission or a cutout which permits passage of light from one side of the material in contact with the light source to other side facing the outside.

[0023]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment directed to use in a shirt 1 (depicted for illustration purposes as a “baby-doll” T-shirt), and in which the mode of securement of the light source (not shown) is advantageously a pocket 2 sewn to an interior of the shirt 1. It will be understood, however, that a suitably shaped and sized pocket could be attached to an exterior of the material forming the body of the garment without departure from the invention. Furthermore, other means for retaining the light source in a desired position could be employed, such as, for example a hook or other engagement structure could be secured to an interior of the garment for coupling with cooperative structure carried on the light source. In addition, if a light source is selected which is replenishable (powered from a rechargeable or replaceable power source), the light source may be permanently secured to the garment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise mode of attachment of the light source and garment. Similarly, although a chemiluminescent light stick, as depicted in the selected examples shown, is deemed advantageous to practice of the invention, the invention in its broadest sense is contemplated as embracing alternative types of light sources, for example, lights powered by an electrical power source either remotely located or incorporated integral with a light housing.

[0024] Suitable glow sticks (chemiluminescent glow products) can be obtained, for example, from OmniGlow whose website is http://www.omniglow.com. These products were originally developed for the military, and as described by the manufacturer, are activated by flexing or bending the outer tube which causes a very this glass capsule containing one solution to be broken, allowing the solution to mix with another reactive solution.

[0025]FIG. 2a shows a chemiluminescent light stick 3 and pocket 2formed interior of a garment 1′, shaped and sized advantageously to comfortably accommodate the light stick 3, preferably restricting significant movement thereof. FIG. 2b is a schematic outline of pocket 2, dimensioned for receiving a light stick approximately 3 inches in length with a width (w) of 1″ and a height (h) of 3″. Such dimensions are merely illustrative, and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0026] Fastening of the pocket 2 to the garment 1′ may be achieved in a suitable manner, for example, by stitching, gluing or by removable attachment by means of a VELCRO type hook and loop system. Any other suitable means for attachment may also be employed without departure from the invention.

[0027] The exterior of the shirt 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 3, in which the shirt 1 is optionally provided with a decorative design 4 in the region through which light from the light source (glow stick 3 in the specific example) is transmitted to the outside. The shirt fabric (or other material comprising the shirt in the light transmission region) can be sufficiently sheer to permit a portion of light to exit the garment, in which case the design 4 is formed by printing, embroidery, etc. Alternatively, the depicted design 4 can be, at least in part, defined by a cutout (of decorative or other shape) through which light can pass even when the fabric is not sheer. Additionally, the material in the region of the light source can be different from the remaining material comprising the garment, for example a mesh, sheer fabric, translucent plastic, etc. In the depicted embodiment, the pocket 2 is formed by stitching a suitably shaped piece of material to the remaining garment material, the stitching, as shown, extending through the design.

[0028] The invention is not limited to a particular type of garment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4a-5 c, in which the features disclosed above are employed in long and short pants designs, designated 10′ and 10″ respectively. Although several pockets 2′ and 2″ are depicted, the invention merely requires that at least one light source be receivable in a stable position of the garment to permit light emitted therefrom to be transmitted across a material from which the garment is at least partially constructed. As such, the light source is at least partially obscured from external viewing.

[0029] It is further noted that, in practice, the number of pockets provided will be determined as a function of the size of the particular light source selected for use relative to the size of the garment, cost factors and aesthetic design considerations.

[0030] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of apparel, comprising: a garment body formed of suitable material; at least one pocket carried on the garment body for receiving and retaining a light source in a desired position of said garment body such that said light source emits light across a layer portion of one of the garment body and said at least one pocket.
 2. A method of providing visual enhancement to an article of apparel, comprising the steps of: providing a light source; and retaining said light source in a desired position of said article of apparel such that said light source emits light across a layer portion of the article of apparel.
 3. An article of apparel, comprising: a garment body including means for retaining a light source thereto; and material for at least partially obscuring the light source from external viewing when the light source is retained to said garment body, said material including means for permitting at least a partial transfer of light emitted by the light source across a thickness of said material. 